The following is an excerpt from the General Regulations of the

IB Diploma Programme, Vade Mecum pp. A10-12.

To download a worksheet to check your completion of the requirements, click here.


Article 11: Grades

Performance in each subject is graded on a scale of 1 point (minimum) to 7 points (maximum). For the IB diploma, a maximum of 3 points is awarded for combined performance in theory of knowledge and the extended essay. The maximum total Diploma Programme points score is, therefore, 45.

Article 12: Award of the IB diploma

12.1 All assessment components for each of the six subjects and the additional IB diploma requirements must be completed in order to qualify for the award of the IB diploma, except under the conditions stipulated in Section VIIC “Special cases: incomplete assessment” of these general regulations.

12.2 The IB diploma will be awarded to a candidate whose total score is 24, 25, 26 or 27 points, provided all the following requirements have been met.
(a) Numeric grades have been awarded in all six subjects registered for the IB diploma.
(b) All CAS requirements have been met.
(c) Grades A (highest) to E (lowest) have been awarded for both theory of knowledge and an extended essay, with a grade of at least D in one of them.
(d) There is no grade 1 in any subject.
(e) There is no grade 2 at higher level.
(f) There is no more than one grade 2 at standard level.
(g) Overall, there are no more than three grades 3 or below.
(h) At least 12 points have been gained on higher level subjects (candidates who register for four higher level subjects must gain at least 16 points at higher level).
(i) At least 9 points have been gained on standard level subjects (candidates who register for two standard level subjects must gain at
least 6 points at standard level).
(j) The final award committee has not judged the candidate to be guilty of malpractice.

12.3 The IB diploma will be awarded to a candidate whose total score is 28 points or above, provided all the following requirements have been met.
(a) Numeric grades have been awarded in all six subjects registered for the IB diploma.
(b) All CAS requirements have been met.
(c) Grades A (highest) to E (lowest) have been awarded for both theory of knowledge and an extended essay, with a grade of at least D in one of them.
(d) There is no grade 1 in any subject.
(e) There is no more than one grade 2 at higher level.
(f) (There are no more than two grades 2 at standard level.
(g) Overall, there are no more than three grades 3 or below.
(h) At least 11 points have been gained on higher level subjects (candidates who register for four higher level subjects must gain at least 14 points at higher level).
(i) At least 8 points have been gained on standard level subjects (candidates who register for two standard level subjects must gain at
least 5 points at standard level).
(j) The final award committee has not judged the candidate to be guilty of malpractice.

12.4 A maximum of three examination sessions is allowed in which to satisfy the requirements for the award of the IB diploma.